Winchester Model 1886 ’86 Takedown 24″ .33 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1912 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,565.00
WOA#: WY240603MA040
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886, Takedown
Year of Manufacture: 1912
Caliber: .33 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle
Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A. PAT. OCT. 14. 1884. JAN. 20. 1885.” in front of the rear sight, the left is marked “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” and “33 W.C.F.” at the rear. The top of the barrel at the rear and the top of the chamber ring are each marked “WP” in oval. The takedown lever is marked “-PAT. JUNE 6. 1893-“.The top tang is marked “MODEL 1886 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG. IN U.S. PAT. OFF.”. The bottom tang is marked “152216” behind the lever and under the lever with -“PAT OCT. 14. 1884. / JAN. 20. 1885”-.
Serial Number: 152216
Barrel Length: 24?, Round
Sights: The front sight is a Lyman beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel, the bead is missing. The rear sight is a “U”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled to accept a peep-sight (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with capped forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb, and checkered black hard rubber Winchester Repeating Arms Co. shotgun-style buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a more notable ding at the left-rear of the forend and some scraping at the toe on the left. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has minor wear with well defined checkering and lettering. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case-Hardened Lever & Hammer
Finish Originality: Original
Overall Condition: The rifle retains approximately 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The most notable wear is in the barrel extension, the receiver tangs, and the bottom-front of the receiver. Much of the worn area has gone to a light patina. The lever loop shows handling wear. There are scattered nicks and scratches. There is some minor surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore with some pitting in front of the chamber. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6 or 7 out of 10.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. The lever locks up tight. The hammer has a half-cock position. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box / Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The 1886 is another of John Browning’s industry-changing designs. It is our favorite Winchester here, certainly the strongest built at the time and function leads to beauty. The 1886 was available in a variety of cartridges over its nearly 40 years of production and, while there were standard configurations, there were also special-order features which led to a wide number of variations available to the collector today. This is a takedown rifle, which allows the user to quickly remove the barrel assembly from the receiver for transport in a case the length of the barrel and has a 24? round barrel. The rifle is fairly light for an 1886 and is chambered for the .33 WCF cartridge, a standard chambering for the 1886 from 1932 until the model was discontinued.
This rifle was made in 1912 and is a takedown model chambered for .33 WCF with a 14″ barrel. The .33 WCF is a good medium-range hunting cartridge, with performance roughly equivalent to or slightly better than .35 Remington. This rifle looks to have seen a useful life but also appears to have been maintained by responsible sportsmen with about 80% of its metal finish remaining, wear in the stocks consistent with use in the field, a decent bore and strong mechanics. While this would likely still make a good hunting rifle today, it’s also likely to attract Winchester collectors as it is a takedown model and in Very Good condition. Either way, this is a nice old Winchester, perfect for any collection. Please see our pictures and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
